Police no longer seeking second man

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A man wanted in connection with the shooting of police officer Jeremy Snow in south Auckland was no longer being sought by police tonight.

A one-line media release from Counties-Manukau police said they were no longer seeking Darren Thmoas Court.

Efforts to find out whether Court had been arrested or had given himself up were fruitless as no further comment was available.

Mr Snow' will be off work for months after he walked into a hail of gunfire early on Tuesday morning.

Police said he was hit four times, once in the chest, in one arm and both legs, when he and a colleague checked a car parked in the driveway of a Papatoetoe house about 4am.

He has been in Middlemore Hospital where he had emergency surgery within an hour or so of the shooting.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry from the Counties Manukau police said he was still in a lot of pain and was expected to be off work for "months rather than weeks".

"The medical prognosis is good, it is just going to take time."

Mr Gutry said he had spoken briefly to Mr Snow.

"They have done the surgery. He may need more. He has got significant injuries but I think they have fixed most things but the doctors are talking months rather than weeks."

Mr Snow and a colleague noticed the car with its hazard lights operating and thought someone may be interfering with it.

As Mr Snow walked toward it, without warning there was a hail of gunfire from the darkness and he fell to the ground bleeding profusely.

His colleague Constable Robert Cato called for help, not knowing where the gunman was or if he too was being lined up as a target.

Mr Snow was dragged to safety by armed police who rushed to the scene after Mr Cato's call.

Mr Gutry said Mr Snow was very lucky to be alive after one bullet fired at his chest was stopped by his protective vest and the police notebook he carried in his shirt pocket.

A 28-year-old man, who was bitten by a police dog, has been charged with the attempted murder of Mr Snow and during a brief court appearance at his hospital bed he was remanded in custody to appear again next month. His name was suppressed.

Earlier today police said they were looking for Court whom they say was at the scene but did not pull the trigger.

Warrants were out for the arrest of Court on other matters but Mr Gutry said they wanted to speak to him and get his side of the story about the shooting.

The outstanding warrants were issued after he failed to appear in Auckland District Court on behaviour offences and for unlawfully taking a car.

- NZPA